The current constitution (Singapore) is too general and
vague.
For example, there is no specific definition of citizens' rights,
no redress or remedy for any infringement of such right like the
habeas corpus under the constitution.
There is no governmental structure spelling out the respective
roles and functions of different components within the
government.
Hence, the constitution in the present form is unable to assure the
citizens of system integrity, accountable and transparent processes
to prevent overlapping of roles among the executive, judiciary and
legislative components of government resulting in compromises on
system integrity.
Above all there is no assurances of true and uninhibited political
participation by the citizens in political or election process nor
upholding of the one-man-one-vote election process, essential to
the vibrancy and progress in any democratically elected system of
government.
For the time being, people may be content with bread and butter
issues rather than the weighty issues of rights and integrity of
the governing system.
We are a young country which is still in the process of
experimenting with our political system through trial and error.
There is a need to grow and mature our very own political and
government system in a timely manner. If we fail to do so, we might
one day end up with tyranny and abuse of power which is one of the
greatest factors for instability in any systems.
Therefore with this perspective in mind, I am asking this critical
question at this juncture of our development should we study the
existing constitutions and its shortcomings and make relevant
amendments and improvements as well as to prevent any possibility
of abuse by any future parties in power.
The vagueness and generality in the existing constitution have
already resulted in laws and regulations being passed like the
summary power of arrest of citizens and detention without trials
and granting of estate upgrading to incumbent party's loyalists and
doctoring of citizens' one-man-one-vote entitlements under the GRC
election process.
Our constitution is looking to be more like an old tattered piece
of clothe worn just to avoid nakedness but unable to provide
protection from the element and warmth to the wearer.
Once an objective, fair and equitable constitution has been
established, it will strengthen the government in winning
wholeheared support of the people. We can proceed with evolving a
constitution from overall perspective as stated in the foregoing to
avoid any narrow approaches which were narrowly based on pragmatism
or monies making by the government.
Above all the constitution must be regarded as compact between the
government and the people and kept sacred and not easily be
undermined with impediments to the larger objectives and goals of
promoting total growth and vibrancy which could come about through
mass participation by citizens.
People want to elect the government to serve the people's needs and
aspirations and deliver the greatest benefits of the greatest
numbers and not to give itself more and more legalistic controls to
itself to stay permanently in power. If we want greater progress,
we must be prepared to win it by working together as a people and
go beyond the needs and aspirations of first stage of nation
building to embrace larger goals and objectives in perspective such
as the following:-
(1) To safeguard One Man One Vote principle so that only the best
individuals are elected into political office complete with
accountable and transparent check on power of executives by the
people.
(2) To ensure continual multi-racial representation but not at the
expense of tilting the level playing field in favor of the party in
power. (Alternative solution is possible e.g. 20% of seats of
parliaments can be set aside to allow minority racial seats to be
allocated to minority winning the highest percentage of votes among
themselves as counted in the one-man-one-vote election
return)
(3) To safeguard the Basic rights of all citizens irrespective of
race, culture, religion, freedoms of speech, political beliefs,
right to stand for election or right to make criticisms of policies
or practices of government in power.
(4) To refer all issues and disputes among politicians to
independent courts empowered to adjudicate all matters impinging on
constitutional matters.
(5) Establish Rule of law, justice, fairness and equity of all
citizens and between citizens and government without fear or favor
to the government in power.
(6) To fundamentally encourage through the constitution further
growth of social, cultural and economic vibrancy, entrepreneurship
and creativity of citizens.
In my view there are enough powers given to the government within
our system to carry its duties fully and effectively. In the new
era, success will be dependent more on how to mobilize and motivate
all citizens towards nation building. To do so, it is essential if
not critical to grant, preserve and uphold relevant rights and
entitlements of citizens so that the citizens will be motivated to
come forward to serve their nation in whatever capacity they are
equipped to do so without any constraints.
Such a constitution will be proactive and open up greater avenues
for citizens to take a larger part in nation building through all
cultural and economic interactions among all citizens. Such larger
objectives and goals could be incorporated so as to engender
cooperations and interactions beneficial to nurturing and
developing creativity and entrepreneurship.
Singapore's democracy is still young and it needs to be further
nurtured and developed into one which will motivate and encourage
all to participate in nation building.
It will be too premature to put the blame for any demonstrations
and rallies seen in certain countries on democracy and conclude
fallaciously that democracy is the cause for chaos and is
unsuitable for us or Asians.
The fact is democracy has triumphed over the dark forces, social
injustices and brought about significant progress of the human race
over the past four hundred years
Democracy has faults and defects but its totality of accountable
and transparency governance processes, including the
one-man-one-vote and capability at balancing of self-centred
autocracy with objectivity, justice and equity has produced the
final good and greatest benefits to the greatest number. Without
democracy or fair and equitable political and election processes,
the world could have been worse off. There could have been more
tyranny and bad experiences due to dictatorship, autocracy or
pseudo-democratic practices which benefit only those in
power.
In the final analysis, a nation is only as good as the quality of
its people. If people want to make further progress in the new era
of technology and globalization, the first precondition must be to
put its own governing process in order one which will embrace all
to come forward to contribute to total progress with accountability
and transparency irrespective of belief, cult, race, religion or
political views or inclinations.
